Norwegian pianist performs in Abuja

Geir Henning Braaten of Norway

The cosy ambience of the Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel was filled with classical music ranging from Bach to Strauss to Beethoven and Puccini on Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010, as the Philharmonics Company in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy Abuja and the Hilton Hotel Abuja presented Promoting Classical Music Concert featuring a piano recital by the Norwegian award-winning pianist Geir Henning Braaten who, since his debut in 1966, has performed and collaborated with conductors and orchestras all over the world, including Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, and most European countries. With a discography of more than 40 recordings, Geir Henning Braaten is one of Norway's most prolific pianists. He is also an Associate Professor at the Norway Academy of Music.

Norwerian pianist Geir Henning Braaten and Nigerian soprano Agatha Ibeazo

The audience

Standing for Geir Henning Braaten

One of the highlights of the night was a performance by Agatha Ibeazo, a Nigerian Coloratura Soprano, who gave a delightful performance as she sang Strauss’ The Laughing Song and Puccini’s Quando me ’n vo Soletta to the accompaniment of Geir Henning Braaten. Agatha Ibeazo started singing at age seven and later joined the choir of St. Paul’s Catholic Church Lagos where she began her formal education in music. She featured in many major concerts organized by the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in Lagos after her thrilling performance at the 2007 MUSON youth competition where she took 2nd place. Following her success at the competition, she was invited to the MUSON Choir and was given a full tuition and book scholarship by the MTN Foundation, affording her the opportunity to pursue a two year diploma course in MUSON School of Music, majoring in voice, under the tutelage of Nigeria’s renowned voice trainer and conductor Emeka Nwodeki.

Inside Track Abuja covered the music-and- dinner event at the Hilton, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community as well as guests from other organizations in Abuja who listened to and watched the live musical performance with undivided attention, since after all, it’s not everyday you get to witness such a rare performance in Abuja. All photos are by Inside Track.

The photos below were taken by Inside Track after the concert.

Other guests...